Impact of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) versus Other Antihypertensive Medication on Blood Pressure in Patients on Dialysis: A Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Hypertension is an important factor driving mortality among dialysis patients. Angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB) has been effective similarly to angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACEs) but with a low incidence of side effects.

Methodology: The meta-analysis included all published studies that investigated the effect of ARB on the hypertension in adult dialysis patients (≥18 years).

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Silver Nanoparticles Infused with Extract and Chlorhexidine Against Red-complex Pathogens.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of silver nanoparticles infused with extract and chlorhexidine against red-complex periopathogens.

Materials And Methods: Neem leaf extraction was done followed by standardization to the synthesis of neem-infused silver nanoparticles and fractionation of compounds done by using thin layer chromatography to separate the mixture of neem leaf extract. Characterization of neem-infused silver nanoparticles was done by scanning electron microscopy and UV-Visible spectroscopy.

Readiness, acceptability, and feasibility of differentiated TB care for COVID-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed in a district in South India: Mixed methods study.

Background: Differentiated tuberculosis care (DTC) approach is the need of the hour to mitigate those risks and provide better treatment outcomes to reduce both mortality and morbidity. Before implementing such an approach, there should be adequate literature on healthcare facility assessment along with qualitative exploration on readiness and acceptability among various stakeholders that are currently needed to fill the gaps in National Tuberculosis Elimination Program.

Objectives: Our study objectives were to assess the availability of equipment, treatment, and investigations for managing patients under the DTC approach, to explore the readiness, acceptability, and feasibility of the DTC approach among healthcare providers involved in TB care provision, and to determine the knowledge regarding DTC approach among healthcare providers delivering TB care for COVID-positive pulmonary TB patients.

Yoga Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia. A Narrative Review.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by bothersome epigastric pain or burning, fullness after meals or early satiety. The precise pathophysiology remains incompletely understood but may include the role of disordered gut-brain communication leading to disturbances in gastro-duodenal physiological functioning. Even if there are several pharmacological treatment options, it is a chronic and relapsing disorder with persistent symptoms that makes its management difficult.

Natal and neonatal teeth: early diagnosis and management.

The eruption of teeth in newborns is a rare disorder of the oral cavity and are called 'natal teeth' when they are present at birth or 'neonatal teeth' when they erupt within the first month of life. In most of these cases, they are prematurely erupted deciduous teeth or supernumerary teeth. Supportive management should be given, to facilitate child's feeding and to prevent further complications, such as aspiration as the tooth could be mobile.

Effect of estradiol on histopathology of brain in unilateral and bilateral ovariectomized rats.

Estradiol, a major form of estrogen, plays a crucial role in various aspects of brain function, including neuronal health, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive processes. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the histopathological changes of the rat brain following estradiol treatment in unilateral and bilateral ovariectomized rats, a commonly used method to induce estrogen deficiency and study the consequences of hormonal changes. Two months old Wistar albino female rats were divided into five experimental groups, each consisting of 6 animals.

Public Health Dentistry as a Career Choice - Attitude of Dental Undergraduate Students in Puducherry.

Background: To pursue further education in a particular specialty of dentistry, it is important for dental students to be aware of the "expectation" associated with any specific specialty in dentistry. Therefore students 'attitudes' towards 'expectations' of various specialties, to a large extent enables a meaningful understanding that facilitates appropriate planning in the dental sector for the community.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted, which included, final year and dental interns studying in two dental institutions, in the State of Puducherry.

Adjuvant yoga therapy for symptom management of functional dyspepsia: A case series.

Functional Dyspepsia (FD), commonly called chronic indigestion, comes under the umbrella of 'Disorders of Gut-Brain Axis'. It manifests as a cluster of upper gastrointestinal symptoms including epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety. Since the pathophysiology is complex, it is often difficult to effectively manage and significantly impacts the patient's quality of life.

Perception of Faculty toward Challenges in Teaching and the Role of Medical Education Workshops in Addressing Them: A Mixed-Methods Study.

 A medical teacher has a very complex job profile, wherein they are expected to train a cohort of newly joined medical aspirants to competent health care professionals. The current study was conducted to identify the challenges faced by the faculty members in medical teaching and to assess the perception of teachers on the role of medical education workshops in addressing these challenges.  It was a Mixed Methods study conducted over a period of 9 months from January to September 2021 in a tertiary teaching medical college and hospital of Chengalpet District of Tamil Nadu amongst the faculty members of the teaching medical college and hospital.

COVID-19 and impairment of mental health: public health perspective.

Objectives: The objective of the article is to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the members of the general population.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced the public health authorities to implement unprecedented public health measures with an intention to control the spread of the infection.

Methods: An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine and World Health Organization website and a total of 27 articles were selected based upon the suitability with the current review objectives.

Manual small incision cataract surgery: a viable option for cataract with pseudoexfoliation.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the spectrum of clinical presentation, intraoperative challenges and immediate surgical outcome of cataract patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) following manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Methods: This prospective observational study which was conducted in a rural tertiary care hospital included adult patients with cataract and associated PXF. MSICS was performed for all after a complete ophthalmic and systemic examination.

Exploring the role of macular thickness as a potential early biomarker of neurodegeneration in acute schizophrenia.

Objective: The retina has been investigated as a gateway to assess the neurodegenerative changes in the brain. Schizophrenia is also conceptualized as a neurodegenerative disorder like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The current literature suggests reduced retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness (MT), as a marker of neurodegeneration, in patient suffering from chronic schizophrenia.

Strengthening risk communication and community engagement for the containment of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 outbreak.

Objectives: The objective of the article is to understand the need and importance of risk communication and community engagement in containing the COVID-19 outbreak.

Introduction: The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which has been designated as a public health emergency of international concern has created a sense of fear and apprehension among the community across the world.

Methods: Acknowledging all these alarming facts, we cannot deny that we have to intensify our efforts and all the national policy makers should recognize the infection as of utmost public health priority and be prepared to respond to the potential outbreak within their own boundaries.

An assessment of age-appropriate infant and young child feeding practices among children in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are a cornerstone to reduce child morbidity and mortality. Assessment of IYCF practices among the mother of young children is the need of the hour to find the breaches in their performance and to find out the influencing factors for these gaps. The study was undertaken with the objectives to assess the IYCF practices and the factors influencing among the children of age 7-24 months.

A study on knowledge and practice of Ergonomics among the Software Engineers in a private firm, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Background And Aims: Due to multiple reasons like prolonged sitting and postural demands, software engineers are prone to develop musculoskeletal problems, which can be easily alleviated by practicing proper Ergonomic posture in their workstation. The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of Ergonomics Principles and Workplace Practice among the software engineers working in a private firm.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 403 software engineers working in a private firm, Chennai.

Necessity to Prioritize Research Activities for a Better Public Health Response to Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic.

The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in the public health care delivery system, and is extremely disheartening that thousands of people are losing their lives to a single disease. A single infectious disease is able to produce so much fear, uncertainty and disastrous impact predominantly because of its novelty and the fact that the many aspects of the disease are still not known. Even though, it has been proposed to strengthen multiple aspects of the disease control, but it is equally important to give immense priority to the research and development domain, as the findings of these results will reorganize the entire approach towards the disease.

Hemodynamic changes under spinal anesthesia after elastic wrapping or pneumatic compression of lower limbs in elective cesarean section: A randomized control trial.

Background And Aims: In spite of adequate fluid loading and left lateral tilt, parturients develop hypotension under spinal anesthesia during cesarean section. Elastic crepe bandage (CB) or pneumatic compression device (PCD) can be utilized to prevent the pooling of blood in lower limbs and thereby it may reduce the incidence of hypotension in these patients. This study was formulated to analyze the hemodynamic effects of leg wrapping with elastic CB and PCD in parturients undergoing for cesarean section under anesthesia.

Awareness, attitude, and practice of pediatricians regarding early childhood caries and infant oral healthcare of children in Puducherry- A cross-sectional survey.

Context: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is the most virulent form of caries, which requires early intervention. Pediatricians are health professionals who first examine the child, and must be able to educate parents about basic preventive dental care, early diagnosis of pathological changes in the oral cavity and appropriate referrals for the children.

Aims: To assess the awareness, attitude, and practice among pediatricians regarding ECC and Infant Oral Healthcare (IOHC) in Puducherry.